Making Fixed RFID Readers Manageable

There has long been a perception that fixed RFID readers are complicated to set up and are really only useful for big organizations that can afford expensive middle-ware software.

I confess, I’ve always subscribed to this view and I’m reminded of this everytime I see the white elephant Symbol AR400 reader that is gathering dust in my office.

Our friends at Portable Technology Solutions (PTS) have clearly (pun alert!) decided that this situation has to change and are in the process of launching a new software solution ClearStream RFID.

If you are involved in using barcoding or RFID for data capture on mobile devices, you’ll probably know that PTS makes a great solution called TracerPlus that allows business processes to be moved easily onto mobile devices. ClearStream RFID promises to bring this simplicity to fixed RFID readers as well.

This morning I spent an hour or so watching a webinar on ClearStream RFID and I must say, I’m excited as to what it can do. I also over the last couple of weeks I had the chance to spend some time with Motorola’s FX7400 reader which is an exceptional device.

ClearStream RFID allows fixed RFID readers to be used to collect data and forward to info to a wide range of database types. The database can be as simple as an Excel spreadsheet, although the demo we saw today used Access. The cool thing is that you don’t need a degree in computer science to set everything up – like TracerPlus, ClearStream RFID is design for us non-programmers to get in on the fun.

Of course, the IT guys won’t be left out completely, once the data arrives at the back-end database, it still needs to be used in a way to help with the business goals.

So what kinds of application would ClearStream RFID be helpful for? Asset control, inventory control, check-in/check/out all come quickly to mind.

Would ClearStream RFID make software packages such as our AssetWorx! RFID asset software redundant? Not at all. ClearStream RFID is designed to capture data and stream it back to a database, whereas AssetWorx! is a complete asset control solution.

I think it is exciting that RFID seems to be finally coming of age to be able to help improve how we manage things within our businesses.